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Sinek, Li, Shelley Headline 2013 World CU Conference

MADISON, Wis. (3/15/13)--The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) has tapped three speakers to headline the 2013 World Credit Union Conference, July 14 -17, in Ottawa, Canada: Simon Sinek, Charlene Li and Ian Shelley.

The international credit union system educational and networking event will host more than 2,500 credit union executives and volunteers from more than 50 countries. The conference will focus on mobile banking, social media and corporate leadership.

The keynote speakers include:

Simon Sinek, corporate leadership strategist, who will speak about corporate leadership strategy July 17. Author of Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, Sinek is known for his theory of the "Golden Circle"--a natural pattern grounded in the biology of human decision-making that explains why some people and organizations are more inspiring than others. Sinek teaches graduate-level strategic communications at Columbia University.

Charlene Li,New York Times best-selling author and social media and technologies expert, who will cover social media and the financial sector on July 16. Li is author of Groundswell and Open Leadership. The founder of the Altimeter Group is recognized as an expert on social media and technologies. As former vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research, Li was named one of the 100 most creative people in business by Fast Company.

Ian Shelley, information technology and mobile payments expert and former KPMG partner, who will discuss the future of mobile banking technology on July 15. Shelley's 20 years of experience include work with credit unions, banks, insurance agencies and regulators in Australia, Bermuda, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Bonus networking and educational sessions include:

The Global Women's Leadership Forum, the annual networking and educational gathering of the Global Women's Leadership Network, the peer-to-peer credit union women's leadership organization. The network will meet July 14, just prior to the conference.

WOCCU's Young Credit Union People (WYCUP) porgram, the annual educational and networking event for credit union professionals age 35 and younger. Five scholarship applicants will receive all-expense-paid scholarships to the 2014 World Credit Union Conference in Australia. The WYCUP program begins July 14 and runs concurrently with the conference.

The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Golf Tournament, a fundraising and networking event at the Loch March 18-hole golf course on July 13.

Bacon, Eggs and Business Experts, a two-part breakfast series with insights and expert advice from two top business authors.

At more than 30 breakout sessions, thought leaders from around the world will present on topics in five separate educational tracks--leadership and strategy, technology, international credit union experience, advocacy and governmental affairs, and innovative solutions.

Attendees also can visit some of Canada's most successful Ottawa credit unions, which are known worldwide for their technological achievements and youth outreach success, WOCCU said.